Self-threading fastener

Abstract

The embodiments described in this paper relate generally to a fastener configured to reduce a risk of doing damage to a high cost component. Various embodiments of fasteners configured to be threaded during insertion are described. This is accomplished by selecting a material for an engaging portion of the fastener that is soft enough to yield to a set of threads to which it is driven into. In this way, a complementary threading pattern is formed on an exterior surface of the fastener as it is twisted against threading of the high cost component to which the fastener is configured to be coupled.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for securing a first component to a second component, the method comprising:
 arranging a first end of a fastener through an opening in the first component and against a threaded bore disposed in the second component; and   driving the first end of the fastener against a plurality of threads disposed along an inside surface of the threaded bore such that an outer surface of the fastener is deformed against the plurality of threads, the deformation of the outer surface forming a threading pattern along the outer surface of the fastener that is complementary with the plurality of threads,   wherein the threading pattern interacts with the plurality of threads to secure the first end of the fastener within the threaded bore of the second component, and wherein the outer surface of the fastener is not rigid enough to cause damage to the plurality of threads.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the driving of the first end of the fastener against the plurality of threads comprises twisting the first end of the fastener against the plurality of threads. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the driving of the first end of the fastener against the plurality of threads comprises vertically driving the first end of the fastener into the plurality of threads. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the interaction between the plurality of threads and the threading pattern electrically couples at least the fastener to the second component. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising forming a partial threading pattern into the outer surface of the fastener, prior to arranging the first end of the fastener against the threaded bore, the partial threading of the outer surface helping to align the fastener with respect to the threaded bore during the securing. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 continuing to drive the first end of the fastener against the threaded fastener until a head feature of the fastener comes into direct contact with a top surface of the first component such that a conductive element disposed on the top surface of the first component is electrically coupled to the fastener by way of the head feature.   
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein concurrently with the forming of the threading pattern in the fastener, another plurality of threads disposed along an inside surface of the opening of the first component is configured to form another threading pattern on the fastener, the other threading pattern configured to mechanically couple the fastener directly to the plurality of threads of the opening. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein interaction between the other threading pattern and the plurality of threads disposed within the opening electrically couples the fastener to the first component. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein during the forming of the threading pattern, a protrusion integrally formed with a metallic shaft disposed beneath the outer surface of the fastener comes into contact and is deformed by the plurality of threads, such that the deformed protrusion electrically couples the fastener to the plurality of threads. 
     
     
         10 . A fastener configured to ground a printed circuit board (PCB) to a housing, the fastener comprising:
 a head portion; and   a deformable body portion, comprising:
 a conductive shaft, 
 a plurality of protrusions extending radially from the shaft, and 
 a non-conductive over-mold covering at least the shaft and plurality of protrusions of the body portion, 
   wherein when the deformable body portion of the fastener is driven against a threaded bore of the housing, a threading pattern is formed along an exterior surface of the non-conductive over-mold, the threading pattern cooperating with a plurality of threads disposed within the threaded bore to secure the fastener to the housing, and wherein the head portion is configured to be electrically coupled to a conductive element disposed on a first surface of the PCB.   
     
     
         11 . The fastener as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of protrusions are configured to make contact with the plurality of threads while the threading pattern is being formed, the plurality of protrusions being further configured to deform against the plurality of threads, thereby electrically coupling the first surface of the flexible PCB to the set of threads of the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The fastener as recited in  claim 11 , wherein a non-conductive spacer is disposed about the deformable body portion and between the first and second components such that the two components do not come into direct contact when the head portion of the fastener is secured against a top surface of the first component. 
     
     
         13 . The fastener as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the PCB is a flexible PCB electrically coupled to an antenna, the flexible PCB providing a grounding pathway between the antenna and the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The fastener as recited in  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of protrusions have a tapered distal end. 
     
     
         15 . The fastener as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the deformable body portion of the fastener has a variable cross-section configured to engage at least the threaded bore of the housing and a threaded bore of the flexible printed circuit board. 
     
     
         16 . The fastener as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the housing is a conductive electronic device housing operative as a chassis ground for an antenna in electrical contact with the flexible PCB. 
     
     
         17 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a conductive housing having a threaded bore;   a fastener, comprising:
 a deformable body portion having a first end configured to engage the threaded bore of the conductive housing; and 
   a printed circuit board secured to the threaded bore of the conductive housing by the fastener,   wherein when the first end of the deformable body portion is driven into the threaded bore, the first end deforms about a plurality of threads disposed within the threaded bore, thereby securing the first end of the deformable body portion within the threaded bore.   
     
     
         18 . The electronic device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the deformable body portion is constructed of a material that is substantially softer than the plurality of threads, thereby preventing damage to or deformation of the threaded bore when the fastener is inserted into or removed from the threaded bore. 
     
     
         19 . The electronic device as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the deformable body portion of the fastener is made of a conductive polymer. 
     
     
         20 . The electronic device as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the fastener electrically couples the printed circuit board to the conductive housing.